ATHENS, Ohio (Nov. 17, 2008) – Six students in the School of Media Arts and Studies in the Scripps College of Communication are among Ohio University Provost Undergraduate Research Fund (PURF) grant recipients this year.

The winners are video production majors Drew Crabtree and Mike Deas, Honors Tutorial College video production majors Justin Lucas and Nora Rye, and Honors Tutorial College media arts and studies majors Patrick Muhlberger and Jake Steinhour.

“Winning these grants is really exciting for the school because it tells me that the students are actively engaged in their work,” said MDIA Director Roger Cooper. “They are motivated to apply to this fund to get support and are successful.”

The assistant dean of the Honors Tutorial College administers the fund that provides monetary awards to support research for full-time undergraduates.  Research includes scientific studies, scholarly work and creative projects.

“By being awarded a PURF grant I feel like I have support from the University in its entirety, not just from my professors, director of studies or college,” said Steinhour. “This level of support makes me believe more strongly in my ideas and gives me even more motivation to see them through to the best of my abilities.”

The students’ grants total nearly $5,000 and will be put towards various projects. Some funds will go toward different student film productions including of the full-length feature “Trailer Park.” Other money will go toward research and analysis on restoration of sound in movies and music, a thesis on superhero movies and trends, and a documentary on alternative agriculture in Nicaragua.

Money from the PURF grant allows students to partake in projects they otherwise might not be able to afford.

“Receiving this grant is a pretty huge deal because fundraising for ‘Trailer Park’ has been an issue; without this money, we wouldn’t be able to shoot this movie,” said Muhlberger.

Each recipient of PURF funding is expected to present his or her research at Ohio University's annual Research and Creativity Expo held during spring quarter.